take aim
Align your sights
To take aim is to point a weapon or other object at a target before firing or throwing: She took aim at the bullseye.
Figuratively, to take aim at something is to direct criticism or attack toward it: The senator took aim at the proposed tax cuts.
The phrase implies deliberate focus before action.
Degree of correctness
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- zeroingCalibrating to baseline
- marksmanshipAccuracy in shooting
steady · fine-tuning · exactness · adjustment · bullseye · reticle · sighting · trajectory
Pit for extracting rock
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
- crosshairsIntersecting sighting lines
riflescope · bowhunting · decoy · safari · blinds · camouflage · game · hunter
What initiates action
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- pistolCompact one-handed firearm
- firearmProjectile weapon using explosives
sniper · ammunition · barrel · shooter · marksman · shotgun · revolver · caliber
Respectful forward inclination
- arrowPointed shaft for shooting
- quiverTrembling or arrow case
- bullseyeExact center target
- nockArrow's bowstring slot
draw · release · fletching · recurve · compound · longbow · broadhead · bowstring
accuracy
Degree of correctness
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- zeroingCalibrating to baseline
marksmanship · steady · fine-tuning · exactness · adjustment · bullseye · reticle · sighting · trajectory · windage
quarry
Pit for extracting rock
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
crosshairs · riflescope · bowhunting · decoy · safari · blinds · camouflage · game · hunter · retriever
trigger
What initiates action
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- pistolCompact one-handed firearm
firearm · sniper · ammunition · barrel · shooter · marksman · shotgun · revolver · caliber · ballistics
bow
Respectful forward inclination
nock · draw · release · fletching · recurve · compound · longbow · broadhead · bowstring · anchor point
goal
Desired end result
aspiration · design · resolve · determination · focus · direction · mission · pursuit · agenda · endgame
attack
Aggressive act against another
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
critique · denounce · call out · expose · challenge · confront · opposition · adversary · rival · opponent
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, under the gun
- Shooting termsfire away, bulls eye, dead center, lock on, zero in
- commandsgo, stop, wait, come, run
- gunfireshoot, gunshot, artillery fire, fire, gunfire
- military commandsattention, halt, fall back, advance, attack
take aimfire
Combustion with flames
shoot · pull the trigger · release · let fly · discharge
take aimstand down
Withdraw from readiness
look away · disengage · holster · lose focus · turn away
take, aim, target, aimed, aims, aiming, targets, targeted, targeting